The good, the bad, and the really, really ugly.

So I guess a good place to start is at the beginning...

We bought a house.

I wish I could say that this is one of those amazing stories where the happy family walks up to their beautiful, clean house, keys in hand and it instantly feels like home, but we are not those people, and this is not that story. 

We bought a charming little 1926 Craftsman (originally) bungalow three blocks from the heart of downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas on June 27th, 2014. While loaded with character, it was A) filthy, and B) filled with questionable choices. (aesthetic and structural) Anytime we looked at the home the seller had to be there, and when we walked in the front door we were greeted by a terrible smell. (Think mildewy laundry meets wet dog) 

The house was on the market for around 6 months, which is unheard of in downtown Fayetteville. Homes here are selling in under a week. Easy. If you stick around, you'll find out why...

So this house has a SUPER awkward layout. It was marketed as a three bedroom home... it was glaringly obvious after walking through the front door that this home was NOT a three bedroom home. I'm not even sure I am comfortable calling it a two bedroom house at the moment. The second bedroom is a walk through bedroom right now. We have plans to build a wall and create a hallway leading to the second bedroom.

The "third bedroom" is actually the Foyer, which has become my husband's office/ our son's playroom. It is currently my favorite room in the house... Probably because it is the closest to being "done" for now; however, when we started, this room was terrible... 

The periwinkle walls really did it for me... Also, the design is incredible... where can I get that bedspread?! And the popcorn ceiling- so amazing! It came with complimentary cobwebs...

Okay, so obviously I'm not crazy about the previous homeowners hoarding decor... Moving on.

The second bedroom is really spectacular. 

I particularly like the fact that you have to walk through 2 "bedrooms" to get from the front door to the common areas. This room will be our son's bedroom. We plan on putting up a wall with a pocket door in the near future, as well as a bunch of built-ins for storage. Something like this...

The master was incredible! Truly a work of art...

I know it's hard to tell beneath all the CRAP in this house, but there are 9" baseboards in there, nearly 7' windows, and original hardwood.

Are you still here? Because I know this is a LOT to take in... I know you probably think I am insane, but there is a mountain of potential here... I promise.

On to the bathroom...

I know what you're thinking... why don't you have a sweet octupus and dolphin mural in your bathroom? It's a one of a kind piece. Sorry. Snooze you lose! 

Redeeming features include: clawfoot tub, skylight, pedestal sink... 

Moving on...

The kitchen:

"That's not so bad," you say... Well you would be WRONG. Those "stonelike" counters are fuschia formica, covered in a sticky counter treatment. The glass tile backsplash is crooked, completely wrong for the character of the home and they ran out so they used something completely different under the vent. The vent hood doesn't work, the cabinets are falling off the hinges... I could keep going on. Should I keep going?

Redeeming features: skylight, refrigerator conveyed.

The living room sold the house for us. (that statement is actually not dripping in sarcasm)

There was an exposed brick chimney, stained glass window, 9" baseboards, a vaulted ceiling... So much charm... also, once again, so much crappy taste.

I'm trying to think of nice things to say about this, but I am coming up blank...

The dining room is oh so good... it's also the laundry room... there are plans to move the washer and dryer ASAP.

Last, but certainly not least is the sunroom. The sunroom seems to be where they let their six dogs hang out on a regular basis. It reeks still and that is after two solid weeks of letting it air out. We are going to be hosing everything down with bleach and replacing the flooring with the ceramic tile that looks like hardwood. The washer and dryer will be going out here, along with built in bench seating for storage. 

Most of you are probably scratching your heads right now wondering what on earth we got ourselves into... I promise you, it's going to be okay. We're going to find the good in here sooner or later. Stick around, kick your feet up, and grab a glass of sweet tea- the fun's just startin' sugarplum!

                                             XOXO,

                                                      Victoria